In a statement issued on Monday, Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation emphasized that the allegations lack credible evidence and are unfounded. The ministry described the claims as inappropriate and harmful, damaging Rwanda’s reputation and casting doubt on the professionalism and reliability of OHCHR’s investigative methods.

The OHCHR report alleges that the armed group known as M23, which it claims receives support from members of the RDF, was responsible for massacring civilians between July 9 and 21, 2025, in four villages within Rutshuru territory in eastern DRC. According to the report, approximately 319 civilians were killed while tending to their farms.

The Rwandan government dismissed these accusations as baseless, stressing that such claims are built on incomplete and unreliable information. It further highlighted that this is not the first time RDF troops have been wrongly implicated, raising questions about the impartiality and rigor of OHCHR’s reporting.

Additionally, Rwanda pointed out the failure of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in eastern DRC (MONUSCO) to adequately protect vulnerable civilians affected by ongoing insecurity.

Rwanda called on all parties to avoid spreading misinformation that undermines efforts to restore peace and resolve conflicts in the Great Lakes region.